Walsall boss Chris Hutchings admits time is catching up with his young stars as their gruelling season nears an end.

The Saddlers claimed a last-minute 2-1 win at Stockport, thanks to Anthony Gerrard’s first half strike and goalkeeper Conrad Logan’s injury-time own goal.

But Alex Nicholls was rested at Edgeley Park, while Troy Deeney was benched in the 1-0 defeat to Tranmere at the weekend as Hutchings tries to keep them fresh.

The manager said: “One or two have looked jaded. That has been coming in the last few weeks.

“They will have a couple of days off now to recharge their batteries and they will be coming in on Thursday refreshed and firing on all cylinders.”